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Idina Menzel, Jesse L. Martin, Taye Diggs, and more original cast members will pop up in tonight’s musical event.
The live telecast of Jonathan Larson's Rent, airing tonight on Fox, is already pretty star-studded, but the execs at Fox have one more exciting piece of casting news to share before the country tunes in.
Just this morning, Fox released the following statement: "We can confirm that the original Broadway cast of Rent will appear during tonight's live telecast airing 8-11pm ET/PT on FOX."
It's unconfirmed exactly which members of the original cast will be joining the Fox production (or in what capacity), but judging by the recently released company photo (as well as various social media posts), it looks like the roster will at the very least include Anthony Rapp (original Mark), Adam Pascal (original Roger), Taye Diggs (original Benny), Wilson Jermaine Heredia (original Angel), Jesse L. Martin (original Tom Collins), Daphne Rubin-Vega (original Mimi), Fredi Walker (original Joanne), and Idina Menzel (original Maureen).
The cast of Rent on Fox features Jordan Fisher as Mark Cohen, Brennin Hunt as Roger Davis, Tinashe as Mimi Marquez, Vanessa Hudgens as Maureen Johnson, Brandon Victor Dixon as Tom Collins, Valentina as Angel Dumott Schunard, Kiersey Clemons as Joanna Jefferson, and Mario as Benjamin Coffin III. Keala Settle will serve as the "Seasons of Love" soloist.
The television adaptation of Rent is written by Kristoffer Diaz and directed by Michael Greif, who staged the musical in 1996 at New York Theatre Workshop and on Broadway, as well as its 2011 revival at New World Stages. Alex Rudzinski will serve as live television director.